I need help!

Hey I recently got a ball python from my teacher since he couldn't care for it(and was already not taking good care of it for a while) but I believe it has a resp. Infection, it whistles a lot when it's breathing and I can't find an exotic vet near me nor can I afford one for another 2 to 3 weeks, what can I do!?


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I think the best thing to do now its try to fix the problem yourself so you don't have to buy the vet to do it. I'm not sure if any pet store in your area carry any respiratory infection medicine for ball python. If they do then just give a try. If not just hope for the best, and just making sure the temp is right and just make him feel comfortable and hope he would recover himself cuz ball python in general has a strong immune system but I'm not an expert so hope this help.

I found this thing that says 10 minutes in this makeshift sauna with some aromatherapy eucalyptus oil and vapor rub mixture twice a day for a week would clear it up usually so that's my current plan unless anyone has a better idea


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Originally Posted by Rjr24777

I found this thing that says 10 minutes in this makeshift sauna with some aromatherapy eucalyptus oil and vapor rub mixture twice a day for a week would clear it up usually so that's my current plan unless anyone has a better idea


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I would hold off doing anything until one of the more experienced keepers respond. You could end up doing more harm then good.

I found this on another forum and a lot of people recommend that form by TN I can't do anything ng until I get paid friday

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rjr24777

I found this thing that says 10 minutes in this makeshift sauna with some aromatherapy eucalyptus oil and vapor rub mixture twice a day for a week would clear it up usually so that's my current plan unless anyone has a better idea


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Do not use vapor run or any type of eucalyptus with a snake (I repeat DO NOT) it will not help quite the contrary, take the animal to a vet to have a culture done and have the proper anti-virus prescribed (some vet will do payment plans), if you can't do that surrender the animal.

Rescuing an animal requires the mean to properly to do so, if one cannot afford the cost of a rescue they should not take a rescue on.

I can afford it just got it as a surprise, I was j us t reading this thread that said a tablespoon of vapor rub and a couple drops of the oil in a gallon of boiling water, put in a big box for it to steam up and a smaller tub with holes in it on the opposite end to hold the snake fr ten minutes_ as vs real people said it worked and some said the vet told them it was a good thing to do. I'm researching a lot before any action is taken

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Looking at a fogger with f10, Brian from bhb reptiles had an vid on it

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Originally Posted by Rjr24777

I can afford it just got it as a surprise, I was j us t reading this thread that said a tablespoon of vapor rub and a couple drops of the oil in a gallon of boiling water, put in a big box for it to steam up and a smaller tub with holes in it on the opposite end to hold the snake fr ten minutes_ as vs real people said it worked and some said the vet told them it was a good thing to do. I'm researching a lot before any action is taken

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Yep and those vets and people are REAL alright they just don't have a clue on treating RI. Again no essential oil, no vapor rub, no eucalyptus.

RI need to be treated appropriately that means vet, culture.

F10 and other similar things may alive ate symptoms but it does not mean the RI will be gone.

RI need to be treated appropriately that means vet, because only a herp vet can diagnose a RI you cannot and may cause more harm than good to your snake.

The vet will perform a culture.

The culture will establish what type of RI you are dealing with (there are different kind, there are also other diseases manifesting themselves as RI but which are not and are far more dangerous)

Once the type of RI is determined the proper injectable anti-biotic will be prescribed for a duration of 30 days for full efficiency. (RI being different certain anti-biotics work better than others)

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Okay thank you so much, looking at everything my snake doesnbhave the bubbles or mucous just whistling rn, will be trying to find a herp vet near me

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rjr24777

I found this thing that says 10 minutes in this makeshift sauna with some aromatherapy eucalyptus oil and vapor rub mixture twice a day for a week would clear it up usually so that's my current plan unless anyone has a better idea


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No no no no! Do not do this. Essentual oils of any type are not to be used around reptiles, including vapor rub. Good way to kill them actually. Eucalyptus and vapor rub wont treat this. Vet.. period. Keep temps a tad bit higher till U can get it to a vet.

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OP, you have two VERY knowledgeable and experienced keepers advising you to NOT try that hair-brained home remedy. PLEASE listen to them.

You said in your first post that you "rescued" the snake from a teacher who was unable to care for it. It seems maybe you aren't ready to care for it either. Caring for an animal properly means having a vet lined up in advance, having some money stashed away or readily available for vet visits and unexpected expenses that happen all the time.

Not to put you down , but it seems like the animal is in no better a place than it was before. Seeing the pics, that animal looks pretty healthy compared to the way you described in the "rescue" thread.

If you can't afford to buy the proper equipment and supplies and food as well as any and all required vet visits maybe rehome the snake until you can properly care for one. You're young, you are still in school. Give the animal to a good home and wait until you are ready to get another animal. I don't know your plans for after high school, but you won't be able to bring snakes to dorms if you're going to college, and many apartments don't allow snakes. Just something to think about...

Eucalyptus oils contain phenols, which are the same type of compounds that make cedar beddings toxic to reptiles and small mammals. Their caustic nature may kill bacterial infections, but they WILL also damage the lung for the same reason. The purpose of medicine is to find a targeted treatment with minimal side effects - that's what makes it hard. Plenty of things will kill bacteria while also damaging the cells of the creature you are trying to help and thus are not used in medicine. Please do not use eucalyptus oil or anything of that nature on a snake. Keep snakes' lungs safe.

It has already been said, but I want to make it 100% clear, that you should NEVER use essential oils around reptiles. Tree oils (which includes eucalyptus) are especially toxic to reptiles--they cause neurotoxicity and death. There isn't a lot of good information online about essential oils and reptiles, so this is my attempt to help spread the correct information on the subject.

Definitely make a vet appointment ASAP but in the mean time make sure you keep the tank/cage spotless to prevent more bacteria from affecting the snake. Also make sure the humidity is in the right range (50%-60% is typical but I would specifically research humidity levels for a snake with RI).
Good Luck!

The snake is okay new cage and everything is set up, vet friend checked him out and said it wasn't RI was just a humidity problem because there were no bother signs of RI - whistling has almost stopped now and he is eating and acting applied and healthy, my baby snake however just had a bit of stuck shed, I had to go on a college visit and my brother didn't mist eniugh like I asked. A bath finally off but her he'd and eye caps, any tips on getting those off? She doesnt like head Messe with so I have been researching a lot and tried giving her a shed box but she isn't interested in it

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Is your humidity low? Sometimes they whistle with low humidity

That was the problem after a few days of me HAVING him it's going down and the vet said the other owner probably kept it low , which he did it was around 30%

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You know what is perfect for curing a RI and handling almost any other problems for your snake? Proper husbandry and an extra clean enclosure.

Seriously, a snake's immune system can handle a RI in many/most situations if the heat and humidity are where they are supposed to be, there is adequate air flow, and the enclosure is clean.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Oxylepy

You know what is perfect for curing a RI and handling almost any other problems for your snake? Proper husbandry and an extra clean enclosure.

Seriously, a snake's immune system can handle a RI in many/most situations if the heat and humidity are where they are supposed to be, there is adequate air flow, and the enclosure is clean.

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That would be false proper husbandry will PREVENT the vast majority of RI however the snake immune system will not kick it once there without the appropriate treatment, this is not like the snake has a cold and it will go away on it's own it much more complex than that main reason snake's lungs themselves, RI are serious and requires veterinarian attention and the sooner always the better.



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